Contents sales system

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD [Detailed description of the invention]

[Technical field to which the invention belongs]

The present invention relates to a content (information content) sales system using a computer network such as the Internet, and more accurately describes TV programs, articles in electronic magazines and newspapers, movies, music, recorded images of plays, and paintings. It relates to a system that sells the right to access and use various contents (contents of information) such as recorded images.

【0002】

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, the sale of information using electronic money has been experimented or carried out on a computer network such as the Internet. This conventional sale of information is carried out as follows, for example, as the sale of a computer program (software such as). That is, first, the seller of the program opens a homepage on the Internet and displays the sales conditions of the program there. The user connects to the Internet, accesses the home page, selects and specifies the program he / she wants to purchase (click with a pointing device such as a mouse). Then, the price is paid using a credit card (in some cases, this payment is made by sending electronic money). After paying this price, the user receives the corresponding program in the form of digital data and downloads it to his / her personal computer. This ends the sale of the program (called "shareware" etc.). There is also a method in which the program data is encrypted and transmitted before the payment is made, and when the user pays the price, the encryption key data for decrypting the above-mentioned encryption is transmitted.

【0003】

The method of selling the above information has already been described by, for example, a US patent (US Patent No. 4,528,643) issued on July 9, 1985, filed by E-DATA in the United States on January 10, 1983. It has been patented. This patent is a patent relating to the distribution of software. The content is a method of reproducing information on the user's physical medium using an information reproduction device that records the information specified by the catalog code, and is a reproduction request code including a catalog code for specifying the information. Is generated from the user, an approval code for approving the reproduction of the information specified by the catalog code included in the reproduction request code is generated, and when the approval code is received from the user, the information specified by the catalog code is generated. Is played back on the user's physical medium. The scope of protection of this patent may be interpreted in various ways, but for example, programs, music information, etc. are encrypted and transmitted via a computer network, and the data is downloaded to the hard disk of the computer owned by the user. There is also an opinion that the act of selling information by making the encrypted data usable by an encryption key or the like is included in the scope of protection of this patent (the above is July 1996). See the article "Fear of patent infringement in the United States. Selling software on the Internet using encryption keys" published on the 22nd. Also, the Internet homepage http://www.patents.com/ige. See sht). The point of the above method is that the entire content such as software is first transmitted and downloaded, and then the cost is surely recovered. In addition, a software distribution method called "super distribution" of software has also been proposed. This method is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 6-28030, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-19707, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-95302, and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-68835. In summary, when dedicated hardware is attached to the user's terminal and the software purchased by the user is used, the fee is charged according to the usage time. The point of this method is that the entire contents such as software are first transmitted and downloaded, and then the charges are surely charged according to the usage time.

【0004】

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

In all of the conventional software sales as described above, the software distributor sends the software data to the user and downloads it to the hard disk of the user's computer. However, since the storage capacity of the hard disk of the user's computer is limited, the capacity of the hard disk of the user's computer can be used only for the content including image data such as movies and TV programs instead of character data such as programs. There is a high possibility that the problem of insufficient capacity will occur, in which the computer will fill up quickly. Also, the above-mentioned "super distribution" may not be suitable depending on the type of content. Specifically, it is as follows.

【0005】

For software used for business such as programs, it can be said that the method of charging according to "usage time" such as "super distribution" mentioned above is appropriate. However, for content related to art and human hobbies such as movies, anime, manga, novels, paintings, and music, simply deciding on "usage time" is far from the actual usage of users. .. Because, when watching movies, anime, cartoons, novels, paintings, music, etc., some people want to see one scene in one movie or animation for hours and times, and others do not. And some want to see a painting in a painting by an Impressionist painter for hours and times. As for music, some people want to listen to a certain phrase in one song as many times as they want, and a certain song is played at their graduation ceremony or wedding, and that song is special. Some people want to listen to it as many times as they like during the graduation season or wedding anniversary because they have memories. There are many people who have special "feelings" and "feelings" about one content or a part of the content. For such people, for such types of content such as movies, anime, manga, novels, paintings, and music that have such "feelings" and "feelings", you can purchase a package recorded on a CD-ROM, etc. and enjoy it whenever you like. Regardless of "use time" or "number of times of use", I want to watch it repeatedly for hours and times as many times as I like. In other words, when "viewing" this kind of content, in a system like "super distribution" as described above, you will be charged more and more based on "usage time" and "number of uses", so you are worried about billing. "I can't get the mood," "I can't appreciate it calmly," and "I can't immerse myself in the work." Therefore, in order to be able to "immerse yourself in the appreciation slowly", it seems that the package form is also suitable for purchasing content. However, regarding the purchase in the form of a package, There is such a problem. That is, when content is purchased in the form of a package, it must be "stored" in a physical space such as a bookshelf or rack, similar to conventional "books" and "records", but the number of content packages is large. Then, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to secure the "physical space for storage". Also, even if we put the point of "physical space for storage", if the number of packages increases, there is a problem that it becomes difficult to know where and what kind of content is (so to speak, "problem that search becomes difficult"). Yes (apart from specialized institutions such as libraries, this is a big problem for traditional books and records in personal life). Then, instead of purchasing in the form of a package, if you purchase it as digitized data via a computer network and record it on the hard disk of the user's personal computer (harsonal computer), the above-mentioned "storage" It seems that the problem of lack of physical space for the computer and the problem of difficulty in searching can be solved to some extent. However, regarding recording on the hard disk of the user's personal computer, the amount of information is huge, especially for content consisting of image data such as movies and animations, so the problem is that the capacity of the hard disk fills up quickly (insufficient capacity). There's a problem. If you purchase it as digitized data via a computer network instead of purchasing it in the form and record it on the hard disk of the user's personal computer (harsonal computer), the above-mentioned "Physics for storage" It seems that the problem of lack of space and the problem of difficulty in searching can be solved to some extent. However, regarding recording on the hard disk of the user's personal computer, the amount of information is huge, especially for content consisting of image data such as movies and animations, so the problem is that the capacity of the hard disk fills up quickly (insufficient capacity). There's a problem. If you purchase it as digitized data via a computer network instead of purchasing it in the form and record it on the hard disk of the user's personal computer (harsonal computer), the above-mentioned "Physics for storage" It seems that the problem of lack of space and the problem of difficulty in searching can be solved to some extent. However, regarding recording on the hard disk of the user's personal computer, the amount of information is huge, especially for content consisting of image data such as movies and animations, so the problem is that the capacity of the hard disk fills up quickly (insufficient capacity). There's a problem.

【0006】

The present invention has been made by paying attention to the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and the user is troubled by "use time" and "number of times of use" such as movies, animations, manga, novels, paintings, and music. It is a sales system suitable for the kind of content that you want to "immerse yourself in the appreciation slowly" by repeating "hours and times" whenever you like, and on the user's terminal side. The purpose is to provide a content sales system that can avoid the problem of insufficient capacity of recording devices (hardeners, etc.).

【0007】

[Means for solving problems]

(1) The content sales system according to the present invention for solving the above problems is connected to a computer network and uses a database that stores a large number of contents identified by each identification code and a user using the identification code. When applying to set the access usage right for the specified content, the user ID (user ID code) or content identification code is required to set the access usage right for the applied content for the user. Related recording means to record in association with, etc. (This related recording means may be recorded in a predetermined area in the database or recorded in association with this database separately from the database) and the user. Based on the request from the computer network from the above, the means for displaying the contents or titles of the contents for which the access usage right is set for the user and the user are displayed in the list from the related recording means. When any of the content is specified, it includes means for allowing the user to access and use the content. In the present invention, the validity period of the access use right may be limited to a predetermined period, or may be "permanent" or "whole life" without limitation. Further, in the present invention, the access use right should be such that the access and use of the content is permitted only for a predetermined period, and the access use is permitted any number of times and for many hours within that period. ..

【0008】

(2) Further, the content sales system of the present invention is connected to a computer network and stores a large number of contents specified by each identification code, and a user has an access right to use the contents specified by the identification code. When the application is made, for the user, the access usage right setting means for setting the access usage right to the applied content for a predetermined valid period and the setting of the access usage right are set for the valid period and the user. Related recording means recorded in association with the ID code (identification code) of the content, the identification code of the content, etc. (This related recording means records in a predetermined area in the database, or this database is separate from the database. (It is better to be recorded in relation to), and based on the user's request for access to certain content, determine whether the access usage right held by the user for that content has not yet expired. This includes means for permitting the user to access and use the content for which the access usage right is set through the database based on the determination result. (3) In addition, in (2) above, in addition, the content that the user currently has the access usage right or the content that the user had the access usage right in the past (before the expiration date) is listed. When there is a request for display, it is desirable to include a means for displaying a list of titles and the like of the content based on the request.

【0009】

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a computer network used in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a computer network such as the Internet, 2 is a computer (server) of an information distributor connected to this computer network 1, and 3 is a user's computer (information terminal) connected to this computer network 1. ). Information distributors that own the server 2 typically include content production and sales of movie companies, publishers, newspaper companies, television stations, record companies, music CD (compact disc) sales / rental companies, database companies, and the like. It can include vendors and public institutions such as copyright management agencies such as the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors of Music (JASRAC).

【0010】

The content sales system according to the first embodiment is formed by using the computer 2 of the information sales source. A database of contents handled by the seller is stored in the recording device of the computer 2 of the seller. In addition, the computer 2 of the seller has a means for setting the access usage right of the content for the user, a means for recording the content of the access usage right in the database (or in association with the database), and for each user. It realizes a means for displaying the contents or titles of the contents for which the user has the access use right in a list, and a means for permitting the user to access and use the predetermined contents.

【0011】

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. First, the operation of setting the access usage right of a predetermined content to the user will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. When the user wants to acquire the access right to use the content, he / she connects to the computer 2 of the information distributor via the computer network 1 and browses the homepage. The user selects the desired content (clicks with a pointing device such as a mouse) while looking at the list of available contents on the homepage, and pays the price, for example, by credit card or by sending electronic money. Pay by. When the computer 2 of the seller confirms that the payment has been made (step S1 in FIG. 2), the user's access usage right is newly set for the content (step S2 in the same step). Then, the content of the set access usage right is recorded in the database in association with the user and the content (step S3). In this case, whether or not to send the setting confirmation notification of the access usage right set above to the user differs depending on the case. If the user wants it, send it, but if he doesn't, he doesn't have to. In particular, if a public institution such as the Japanese Society for Rights of Authors of Music (JASRAC) or a major company equivalent to it is the information distributor, the social credibility is high, so the user will be notified of the setting confirmation of the access usage right. There may be cases where you do not want to send.

【0012】

By setting this access right, the user can access the content to the server of the information distributor via the computer network, and can access the content anytime, anytime, any number of times. You have acquired the right to use it. This means that for the user, "the content can be used immediately, any number of times, for hours, anytime, anytime", and "the data of the content is stored from the server on the computer (personal computer) owned by the user". It produces almost the same effect as "downloading to a recording device and recording" or "owning a package such as a CD-ROM that records the content". Further, not only the same effect as the download is produced, but also the user avoids that the recordable remaining capacity of the recording device of his / her personal computer becomes small due to the recording of the data of the content (problem of insufficient capacity). At the same time, the effect of being freed from the hassle of having to manage the data of the content by oneself (the problem of management for searching the content) can be obtained. In other words, by granting the above access usage rights, the user has the same merit as if he / she obtains "a warehouse for renting his / her own content that saves the data of the content and manages it for searching". This means that it has the same merit as securing an "electronic study for storing electronic publications owned by oneself" in the server of the information distributor. Such a system for selling information (to be exact, setting the right to access and use the content) records the content as electronic data instead of paper media, so that the information distributor can use it. The cost of accessing the database of its own server "how many times or hours" by the user is close to zero, and for the information distributor, the data to be recorded is electronic unlike the paper medium. Therefore, the database of its own server is "user's data".

【0013】

That is, in the first embodiment, the operation when the user accesses and uses the content is as follows. The user connects to the computer 2 in which the information seller holds the data, sends, for example, the user's ID code (identification code, etc.) and password, and is further stored in the database in the computer 2 of the seller. Request a list of the contents for which you have access usage rights (step S4 in Fig. 3). If the computer 2 of the seller can confirm that the user is the user from the user ID and password (step S5 of the same step), the contents of a plurality of contents for which the user currently has access usage rights or Display a list of titles. This list display is displayed in a list as shown in FIG. 4, for example. That is, as shown in Fig. 4, the title, remarks (column for recording the production company, production date, etc. of the content), validity period of access usage right, etc. are displayed on the screen in the form of a list for each genre. It is displayed (step S6 in Figure 3). The user sees this list display, and if the content he / she wants to use (view) is, for example, the movie "Gone with the Wind" in Fig. 4, click that part with a pointing device such as a mouse. Specify and request access and use for it (step S7). In response to this, the computer 2 of the information distributor permits the user to access and use the content (step S8).

【0014】

In the above-described first embodiment, when displaying a list of the contents or titles of a plurality of contents for which access usage rights have been set for the user, a form of "list" as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it may be a simple bullet point or the like, and it is also possible to display a list in various forms other than the form of "table". Further, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, the access usage right has a predetermined validity period (for example, "5 years"), and the validity period is also displayed in the list display of FIG. However, this period can be set arbitrarily by the user, whether it is "1 year", "2 years", "20 years", or "1 week" or "1 day". In the present invention, the access usage right is configured to allow the content for which the access usage right is set to be accessed and used for many hours and many times within a predetermined validity period. doing. Therefore, for the user, the remaining period (for example, the remaining accessible period, the movie "Gone with the Wind" has the remaining period to be displayed together with the content list display for each of the contents. It may be displayed as "3 months", the movie "Casablanca" has a remaining period of "1 year and 4 months", and so on).

【0015】

Embodiment 2. Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The hardware configuration of the second embodiment is formed by the server (computer) of the information distributor in almost the same manner as the first embodiment. This server builds a database of various contents, receives access from the user's computer and requests for setting access usage rights for certain contents, and allows the user to access and use the specified contents. A means for generating a right grant code, a related recording means for recording the access use right grant code, the validity period of the access use right, etc. in association with the content identification code and the user identification code (ID code), and this A means of sending the access usage right granting code to the user as a confirmation notification of the access usage right setting, and when the user sends the access usage right granting code and requests the access use of the predetermined content, in response to it, A means for determining whether or not the user's access usage right for the content is within the valid period, and a means for permitting the user to access and use the corresponding content if the content is within the valid period based on the signal from the determination means. And consists of.

【0016】

That is, specifically, the following operation is performed. When the information distributor opens a home page on his server and provides a database, the user connects to the server via a computer network such as the Internet, and about one of the contents displayed on the home page. , Consider the case where you want to acquire the access usage right. In this case, the user specifies the content and pays for the access right to the content (this payment is made by, for example, payment by credit card or transmission of electronic money) (step S11 in FIG. 5).

【0017】

Upon receiving this payment, the server gives the user an access usage right for the content (this access usage right is a right that exists only for a predetermined validity period, and this validity period is The information provider can make a uniform decision in advance, or the user can choose any period he / she likes) to generate an access usage right grant code indicating that the setting has been made. Then, the generated access usage right granting code, the validity period of the access usage right, the identification code of the content, and the identification code of the user are recorded in association with each other (step S12 in FIG. 5). In addition, the server sends this access usage right granting code to the user as a confirmation notification of the access usage right setting (step S13 in FIG. 5).

【0018】

As described above, the user has acquired the right to use the content at any time by accessing the server of the information distributor via the computer network. This means that, for the user, "the content can be freely used anytime, anytime, any number of times, for hours", and "the data of the content is stored by the computer's own recording device from the server." It produces almost the same effect as "downloading and recording in." Further, this not only produces the same effect as the download, but also reduces the recordable remaining capacity of the recording device of the personal computer owned by the user by recording the data of the content (capacity). The problem of shortage) can be avoided, and the effect of being freed from the hassle of having to manage the search for the content by oneself can be obtained.

【0019】

That is, when the user later sends the access usage right grant code transmitted in step S13 to the server of the seller (step S14 in FIG. 6), the server side is recorded in the access usage right grant code. It is determined whether or not the access usage right has already expired and the access usage right has expired (step S15 in FIG. 6). Then, if this determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S16, and a message to that effect (that the access usage right has expired due to the expiration of the valid period) is transmitted to the user (step S16 in FIG. 6). On the other hand, if the determination in step S15 is "NO", that is, "the access usage right is still within the valid period", the process proceeds to step S17 to access and use the content corresponding to the user (how many hours). (Also available) is allowed (step S17). In addition, when the user wants to see the list of contents for which he / she currently has the access usage right effectively after step S14 and makes a request to that effect, the information provider informs the information provider. Using the user's ID code as a key, a list of contents as shown in FIG. 4 is displayed from the related recording means and the content database. While looking at this list, the user specifies the content that he / she wants to use from now on and requests access use. Then, the process proceeds to step S15 of FIG. In addition, the user can also request the list display of the content for which the user has the access usage right in the past (the content for which the validity period of the access usage right has already expired). In this way, the ability to output a list of content for which the user has access usage rights for the user means that the user can manage the content by himself / herself (using commercially available database software). , You do not need to enter and manage the title of the content yourself), which gives a great advantage to the user.

【0020】

[Effect of the invention]

(1) As described above, according to the invention of claim 1, the information distributor (information provider) accesses the content instead of transmitting the content information itself to the user. Since the access usage right that can be used (the content can be viewed, the data can be processed, etc.) is set (granted) to the user, the conventional method of selling information (called data transmission) is set. It becomes possible to avoid the problem that "the remaining recording capacity of the recording device of the information terminal such as the user's computer is immediately insufficient with the information of the transmitted contents" that may occur in the method).

【0021】

When the access right of the content is set in this way, the user can always connect to the information distributor via the computer network to access and use the content. Will be able to use the content in exactly the same way as when the content is downloaded and recorded in a recording device of an information terminal such as a personal computer.

【0022】

Further, in the present invention, at the request of the user (in this case, it is desirable that the information seller confirms that the person who requested by some means is the user himself / herself), the user can access and use the information from the information seller. Since the list of contents for which the right is set is displayed for the user, the user selects and specifies any content from the contents for which the user has the access right, and it is selected and specified. Can be accessed and used. As a result, the user can use any content in the list of contents in the recording device of his / her own computer by using commercially available database software. In exactly the same way as ", display a list of the contents for which you have access usage rights in the database of the computer of the information seller, and select / specify any content to use." "be able to. In addition, by introducing such a system, the information seller will "manage" the content for which the user has the access usage right to the user, and the information seller will "manage" the content to the user. It will be possible to obtain the merit of improving customer service and encouraging user retention and user repeat (reuse). In the above invention, the data used by an information terminal such as a computer should be available to the user by an information terminal such as a computer, unlike tangible objects such as paper and records, and its value changes no matter where it is recorded. It is an idea derived from the idea that there is no such thing.

【0023】

That is, by setting this access usage right, the user has the right to use the content anytime, any number of times, for hours by accessing the server of the information distributor via the computer network. It means that it was acquired. This means that the user can download the data of the content from the server to the recording device of his / her own computer in that the content can be freely used anytime and any number of times. It produces almost the same effect as recording. Further, not only the same effect as the download is produced, but also the user can avoid that the recordable remaining capacity of the recording device of his / her personal computer is soon exhausted due to the recording of the data of the content, and the content. You will be able to obtain the effect of being freed from the hassle of having to manage the data yourself. In particular, in the invention of claim 1, as described above, the function of displaying a list of the contents or titles of a plurality of contents for which access usage rights are set for the user in the content database owned by the information distributor is provided. Since it has, the user can use the database of the server of the information distributor as if it were "the database in the recording device of the computer owned and managed by himself", and moreover, the content Since it even displays the list, you do not have to do the work to display the list (input work to the database software, etc.), and the content data that occurs when you import the content data to your computer. There is an advantage that the burden of management can be avoided.

【0024】

In addition, we have traditionally prepared a database of karaoke songs on a server on the Internet, and sold the karaoke usage right for "up to 300 songs for one year" for 4,000 yen (sold in the form of a CD-ROM, etc.) and purchased it. Based on this karaoke usage right, users have already used a system that reads karaoke songs on their personal computers on the Internet and plays karaoke (Sumitomo Shoji Co., Ltd. has an Internet homepage (http: //: //). One of the contents provided on www.clibweb.or.jp). See the article "Internet Karaoke" in the Nihon Keizai Shimbun dated June 6, 1996). However, this Internet use of karaoke only grants the user the right to use the karaoke database recorded on the server, and as in the present invention, the user uses the access in the content provided by the information distributor. A function to display the contents for which the right is held in a list (This function is not only to display a list, but also to "represent the possession and management of multiple contents freely available to the user" for the user. It does not have the meaning of "doing"), and is significantly different from the present invention in this respect or in other respects as well. In addition, since this "Karaoke usage right" is a system in which the song is charged according to "how many times it has been used and the number of times", "how many times a song can be used at any time without worrying about the charge" However, this system is not suitable for the usage of "I want to watch for hours". It is considered that a system like the present invention is required for contents such as movies, music, paintings, and animations that require such a usage method for viewing. In that respect as well, it can be said that the above-mentioned "karaoke usage right" system is a system that is significantly different from the present invention.

【0025】

As described above, by granting the access usage right described above, the user can obtain the same merit as obtaining "a rental warehouse for data that stores and manages the data of the content on behalf of the user". It has the same merit as securing an "electronic study for storing electronic publications owned by oneself" in the server of the information distributor. A system for selling such information (to be exact, selling the right to access and use the content) records the content as electronic data rather than paper media, so for the information distributor, No matter how many times the user accesses the database of his / her own server, the cost for that is close to zero, and for the information distributor, the data to be recorded is electronic data unlike the paper medium. Even if the database of the server is used as a "study of electronic publications for users", the special cost for doing so is close to zero (if this is a paper medium, "a publication consisting of a paper medium for users". It is possible for the first time to set up a "study for special storage").

【0026】

(2) Further, in the present invention, the access usage right may include permitting access and use of the content for a predetermined period of time. That is, the "access usage right" referred to in the invention of claim 1 may be "permanent", but may be provided with a predetermined validity period. In that case, it is convenient if the data indicating the validity period can be included in the data of the access usage right. In this way, the information seller displays a list of contents for which the access usage right is set that is still within the valid period at the request of the user, and also disappears after the valid period of the access usage right has already passed. It is possible to display a list of the contents that are available for the convenience of the user.

【0027】

(3) Further, in the content sales system of the invention of claim 3, when the user applies for the access usage right of the content, the access usage right to the content is granted only for a predetermined period. Then, when the user wants to use the content for which the access usage right is set, the information distributor connects the information distributor via the computer network and makes the request, so that the information distributor can use the data. You can use a part of the content database you have as if you were your own.

【0028】

Also, users often do not want to make access to certain content "permanent." Because new content is born one after another. Therefore, when purchasing content in the form of packages, as time passes from the purchase, the number of packages that are "dead" without being used will increase, which is necessary among a huge number of packages. There is a problem that various packages cannot be found (management problem for search). This is a problem that occurs to varying degrees even when the content is recorded as data on the heart disk of a personal computer. In the present invention, since the access usage right is given a "validity period", the "dead storage" of the access usage right can be prevented. Also, for users, by adding a "validity period", there is an advantage that the content does not have to be paid for the period after it is no longer used. As described above, the "sale of content" according to the present invention is configured as "sale of access usage right to a part of the database on the content provider side", and the access usage right has a predetermined "validity period". The system configured as a thing produces great merits for both the content provider side and the user side.

[Simple explanation of drawings]

[Figure 1]

It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the structure of Embodiment 1 of this invention.

[Figure 2]

It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation of Embodiment 1.

[Fig. 3]

It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation of Embodiment 1.

[Fig. 4]

It is a figure which shows the example of the list display of the content which the information seller performs for a user in Embodiment 1. FIG.

[Fig. 5]

It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation of Embodiment 2 of this invention.

[Fig. 6]

It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation of Embodiment 2.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Computer network 2 Information distributor server (computer) 3 User's computer (information terminal)